The other night we decided to have Shish Taouk takeaway and I went to one of the local restaurants to order and pick up our meal. I had the misfortune of being in line behind a “difficult” customer. The middle aged woman had a flyer in her hand and wanted the “Friday Special” which was a clearly marked coupon. She then proceeded to ask for a substitutions, which was not part of the deal. The employee very patiently explained to her that the special said pretty clearly that she had a choice of three salads, but the one that the customer wanted exchanged would be an extra two bucks. The woman started to really fuss and complain about the “lousy service” etc.

After she finally got the order placed, she pointed to another coupon in the flyer and asked to order that as well. The employee politely explained that only one coupon could be used at a time per customer.  By this time there was now a significant line up behind me and the “difficult” customer and several employees were now distracted from their preparing and were weighing in on the argument. The woman then wanted to “see the owner, then the manager” neither of whom were there. She then pulled the “I am Lebanese and could have gone to any one of the other Lebanese restaurants nearby”. She then screamed that she would “call the head office” and tell them how rudely she had been treated.

At this point I spoke up and said “I was a witness to this entire transaction and at no point was any employee rude to you, and in fact, it was you that was belligerently trying to get more than was possible from the coupon.” She turned to me and said “ I can’t see how this is any of your business!” To which I replied that “seeing as you are yelling falsehoods in a small space, threatening staff, and have delayed the orders for eight people in line, it is now everybody’s business. You came in with an agenda to get as much as you can for as little as you can and were browbeating the server who is just politely doing his job.” She then reverted to a grade two bullying tactic of attacking my appearance. She sarcastically said: “have you looked in the mirror recently?”. I took it to mean she was attacking my appearance, so I replied in kind: “Listen Karen… unlike you, I like who I see in my mirror, he knows right from wrong and treats people properly.” She then (miraculously)shut up, paid her meal and left. I whispered to the cashier: “I hope she chokes on it!” The cashier nervously stifled a giggle and all the employees mouthed “Thank You” as well as the people in line for standing up to this bully. 

The cashier whispered she would not charge me for the potatoes which was kind, but unnecessary.

My takeaway from this incident: These  workers are all recent immigrants and are reluctant to rock the boat for very good reasons. I used my privilege to champion their cause because I could. 

I feel sorry that there are people out there that are so selfish and full of entitlement that they feel they can push others around.